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Living and Teaching English in Denmark - Habits, Customs & Curiosities

Denmark regularly comes out on top of national rankings based on topics such as education, income level and overall standard of living, making it a popular destination for foreign workers.

If you have found a job in Denmark or plan on heading there in the future, take a look at the following guides for some useful information on the country and its culture.

They have a range of simple travel tips to help you organize your visit, as well as an insight into the local language and cuisine.

You will also find a guide to Copenhagen, the Tivoli Gardens and the national obsession with cycling.

Denmark is the southernmost Scandinavian country whose only land border is with Germany to the south. Despite its EU membership, Denmark is not a member of the euro zone so you will need to bring some Danish krone with you for public transport from the airport and other initial purchases. A glass or two of akvavit snaps is also a great way to warm up on a cold winter’s day.

Anyone with an EU passport is free to come and go as they please in Denmark, however, non-EU visitors should check their visa status before planning their stay. There are plenty of local food specialties that you will want to try such as the famous open sandwich known as smorrebrod and Friadeller meat balls.

As the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen has plenty of great attractions to offer visitors, whether you are here for just a short visit or something more long-term. One must-see attraction for every visitor is Tivoli Gardens, an amusement park that has been in operation for over 170 years. The most famous attraction in Copenhagen is probably the Little Mermaid statue which is based on the famous fairy tale by local author Hans Christian Andersen.

If you are looking for some peace and quiet you can relax in one of the city’s many parks and gardens or explore one of its museums and art galleries. You will also find plenty of great shopping opportunities, including a variety of outdoor markets where you can sample all manner of delicious street food.

Having opened way back in 1843, Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen is the second oldest amusement park in the world. However, for many visitors the rides are the main attraction and you are unlikely to be disappointed. If you really want to make the most of your visit you can stay at the Nimb Hotel which is located within the park itself.

As well as a long list of impressive rides which include a hundred year old wooden roller coaster, the park is home to beautiful gardens, indoor and outdoor theatres, live music shows, and a variety of great restaurants. The Star Flyer was introduced in 2006 and is the tallest carousel ride in the world, while the Demon roller coaster is the fastest in the park reaching speeds of nearly 50 mph.

As it is the flattest country in Scandinavia, Denmark is home to one of the biggest cycling cultures in the world. The more energetic visitor can attempt to ride the entire length of the country as there is a track that runs from the northernmost tip to its southernmost point. If you find yourself living and working in Denmark, why not join the tens of thousands of commuters who cycle to work, including two thirds of the country’s politicians?

With over 10,000km of cycle routes crisscrossing the country there is no excuse for not hiring a bike and exploring some of Denmark’s beautiful countryside. The less active might prefer to simply explore the flat streets of Copenhagen at whatever pace they feel comfortable with.